The joke's on you New York, this only helps our draft odds and hurts yours.
The opening quarter was as tightly contested of a game that you could find. Neither team held more than a 3 point lead as they entered the 2nd quarter knotted at 18 points each. New York started the 2nd period on a 9-2 run but the Sixers would tie it back up at 28 on a layup from Henry Sims. The Knicks would slowly build a 7 point lead as Philly went into the locker room down 49-42.
While Carmelo Anthony was quiet in the first half, he exploded to start the 3rd quarter hitting 2 straight three-pointers. This put the Knicks up by 11, a hole that the Sixers would not dig themselves out of. Philadelphia entered the final period down by 12 but would make a few attempts at the lead.
After intercepting a pass, Carter-Williams took it all the way to the hoop to bring the game within 3 points with just over 5 minutes left. Unfortunately, Calderon would answer that with a three pointer. Then with only a 1:30 remaining, MCW would find an open Robert Covington for the corner three to cut the margin to 4. Despite keeping it close and playing physical defense down the wire,the Knicks would seal the game after a loose ball off of one of many blocked shots by Grant hold itself in the hands of Langston Galloway. The Saint Joe's graduate would knock down the fade away corner three as the shot clock ran out. With only 15 seconds left on the game clock, the 76ers found themselves down by 7.
Philadelphia shot only 37% from the floor but did a great job off attacking the basket and getting to the foul line. They completed a respectable 78% of the 32 shots from the foul line. Philly had 18 fast break points, and limited themselves to 14 turnovers which is good for this young squad.
Michael Carter-Williams led the Sixers with 27 points but it took 26 shots to get there. He also recorded 7 assists, 6 rebounds, and 5 steals. While Jerami Grant only put up 4 points in 25 minutes, he came up huge defensively with 8 rejections and the Sixers were a +14 with him on the floor. RoCo added 17 points while Sims secured 12 boards and scored 11 points. KJ continues to struggle with his shot in his first year (4-13 FG) but added 12 points.
Melo scored 27 points for the Knicks and added 11 rebounds and 3 steals. Jose Calderon put up 15 points and 7 assists.
Galloway got another start for New York in his 6 NBA game. He scored 11 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and dished out 4 assists in a return to Philly. Lang is averaging 12 points on 42% and 3 assists in his rookie year.
The 76ers will host the Raptors (27-14) on Friday.
By: Matt Ryan